Highlights from GLAS 2024
The one-day trade show returned with exhibits, displays and demos from more than 80 of the industry’s leading suppliers
Print19 July 2024
Proudly supported by Bord Bia, GLAS 2024 saw the coming together of a strong, dedicated horticulture sector in Ireland. The one-day trade show returned with exhibits, displays and demos from more than 80 of the industry’s leading suppliers on 18 July at the National Basketball Arena in Dublin.
Speaker Niall McCauley giving a talk at Bord Bia’s Learning Theatre at GLAS
The Bord Bia Learning Theatre was a hit with visitors. Featuring free talks from leading experts on some of the hottest topics in our industry, including apprenticeships in the horticulture sector, ensuring success for your business on social media and Ireland’s approach to plant health and biosecurity.
Each year, GLAS celebrates an array of new products and new plants that have been whittled down from a large number of worthy contenders to form the New Product, New Plant Awards. As always, the showcase was one of the day’s highlights.
With thanks to our expert judges Ursula Brennan of Tirlan, Ciaran Burke of Johnstown Garden Centre and Patrick Gleeson, the winners were announced and presented during the show.
New Product New Plant Awards
Best New Product at GLAS 2024 went to Green-tech for its ‘Tree Parker’ urban tree planting system. The system is designed to ensure successful urban tree planting applications.
Pictured: (L-R) Aaron Grange and Richard Gill of Green-tech (Photo by Shauna Bernard)
Richard Gill, sales director, Green-tech, said: “We’ve met new customers and existing customers at this year’s GLAS and we’ve been busy all morning. It’s been nice to showcase materials, especially to showcase Tree Parker.
Tree Parker is a city centre urban product, which you’d use with mature trees when planting avenues of trees. It’s normally used as a tree anchor, for tree irrigation systems and aeration systems.
When asked why he thought Green-tech’s entry stood out to the judges, Gill said: “We’ve got a product which is unique in the market. We feel like our product is one of the best solutions when you’re planting mature trees in a built up urban environment. A lot of the industry is looking at green spaces and urban greening, and we feel like it needs to be used to give the tree the best possible chance in life.”
The Best Hardy New Plant went to Rentes Plants for their ‘Black Diamonds After Midnight’ Hydrangea. This special hydrangea is the very first to combine purple-black foliage with shapeshifting blooms that start lacecap and finish as mophead in a rich, deep red.
Pictured: Roy Rentes in the Growers Paddock holding the Best Hardy New Plant (Photo by Shauna Bernard)
Roy Rentes, admin and marketing, Rentes Plants Ltd, said: “GLAS has been pretty great this year. We did struggle in previous years with turnouts of particularly big hitters, but they’ve all been here today, so I’m quite happy. The plant won because it is unique in itself and has strong qualities.”
Ball Colegrave’s yellow ‘Petchoa Caliburst’ took home the Best Annual New Plant Award at GLAS 2024. The colourful caliburst plant is ideal for bushes and won the top prize for its weather resistant qualities.
Pictured: (L-R) Michal Slawski of Bord Bia; Lee Hopper of Ball Colegrave and John Mc Donald of Mediateam (John Ohle Photography)
Speaking to Growtrade.ie, Lee Hopper of Ball Colegrave shared his thoughts on GLAS this year: “I think we’ve had a fantastic time so far. There have been plenty of people here to actually talk to and to get a feeling for the trade over here.
Hopper noted that it was also important to better understand the challenges of getting things over from the UK.
“Overall, it’s been a good positive response and I think we’ve passed on our commitment to still getting things into Ireland,” said Hopper.
Hopper thinks it’s the ranging quality of the plants they showed has been important.
“We have new genetics coming through all the time, and I think maybe the growers here realise that there’s certain things that they just can’t do without”
Best in Show
Pictured: (L-R) Michal Slawski of Bord Bia; Niamh Tully of Tully Nurseries and Larry Doran of Doran Nurseries (John Ohle Photography)
As judged by the GLAS show director John McDonald and Michal Slawski from Bord Bia, the winners of the GLAS Best in Show Awards made a bold impact with their stands.
The winner of the Best in Show Horticulture Supplier for GLAS 2024 is Tully Nurseries.
Niamh Tully, sales and marketing director, Tully Nurseries, said: “It’s been a nice experience in the outdoor area surrounded by nurseries.
“The energy this year has been really good and while maybe we are not getting so many orders, a lot of people are turning up just to say hello.
Tully mentioned that GLAS is the only industry show of the year, so it’s nice to participate and be there for the annual event.
Tully thinks the movement of the stand might have secured them the win. “ It’s amazing what a bit of movement can do to attract people’s attention and get people to come and look. I think people are just craving something different, so I’m always trying to look for something unique that makes us stand out.”
Meanwhile, the Best in Show Trade Supplier Award winner at GLAS 2024 is ICL. ICL earned this accolade for the quality of the information on their signage and the smooth layout of their stand.
Pictured: (L-R) Matthew Miller; Brendan Howell and Stuart Gammage of ICL (Photo by Shauna Bernard)
Brendan Howell, sales development manager of ICL told Growtrade.ie about his positive outlook on GLAS 2024: “From the minute we got here at 8:30, the footfall has been quite large and has continued right through the day.
Howell notes that his team have taken a lot of orders on the stand, which is unusual.
“You don’t normally take so many orders, and we’ve taken a lot of them today, and just in general, a lot of interest in our products. But to win the award, I’m really chuffed about that. It has been the cherry on top.”
Howell explains that everything ICL produces is done on a just-in-time basis
“Nursery orders are by the week and we haven’t let anyone down, we’ve produced everything just in time as they need it.
“We’ve had to adapt in the background because of the changes in the world today around raw materials. Like in every mix we have, there’s up to eight different ingredients. If you run out of one of those ingredients, you can’t make the mix.”
Howell highlights that they stockpile everything for a full season to make sure that they can meet those growers orders every time. ICL has had a full six months of the season of 100% supply.
Supplier of the year
The final award was voted for by the visitors of GLAS and subscribers of Growtrade.ie. With double the number of votes cast this year versus last, the 2024 GLAS Supplier of the Year Award went to Young Nurseries.
Pictured: (L-R) Michal Slawski of Bord Bia; Nuala Young of Young Nurseries and Larry Doran of Doran Nurseries (John Ohle Photography)
Speaking to Growtrade.ie, Nuala Young, owner, Young Nurseries, said: “It’s a fantastic experience for us. We tend to meet all our customers, and we discuss the season that’s just gone and the season ahead, and it’s a great catch up for us.”
Young attributes the achievement to Young Nurseries’ consistent quality throughout the year, efficient deliveries, and their passion for what they do.
“We just love doing what we’re doing. It makes a huge difference to us when our customers ring us and say that they were delighted with the delivery coming in,” concludes Young.
Congratulations to all of the award-winners at GLAS 2024!
For more information on GLAS, visit: glasireland.ie/
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